IMPACT BLASTING WITH GLASS BEADS

摘要

Glass beads were originally used for decorative applications. Their use as a medium in impact blasting came about largely as a result of the aerospace buildup of the 1950s. At that time, a need developed for multipurpose media that combined the advantages of coarse, organic, metallic, and fine angular abrasives. Table I shows a comparison of glass beads with other impact abrasives for cleaning, finishing, peening, and deburring applications. Impact blasting with glass beads is well placed to satisfy demands of the 1990s for an energy-efficient and environmentally acceptable method of metal finishing. When properly controlled, the system is safe for workers and spent media presents no disposal problems.